…CP Orutugu warns criminals: “Anambra remains unsafe for crime”
The Anambra State Police Command has dismantled a child-stealing and trafficking syndicate operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos States, arresting six suspects and rescuing a three-year-old boy earlier reported missing in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the breakthrough followed a petition lodged on 4th September 2025 by the mother of the victim. The woman reported that her daughter had left her three-year-old son in the care of one Samuel Ibe of Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, while she briefly went to her shop, only to return and find both the child and Ibe missing.
Acting swiftly, operatives attached to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, launched an intensive investigation which led to the arrest of Samuel Ibe. His confessional statement, police said, paved the way for the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh (35), and his 15-year-old brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera.
The investigation further extended to Enugu State, where police apprehended Angela Eze (30) for allegedly collaborating with another woman, Juliet Onah, in facilitating the transfer of the stolen child to Lagos.
Following credible intelligence, detectives proceeded to Lagos State, where they arrested one China Cosmas and successfully rescued the missing child. The boy has since been reunited with his family in good health, the statement confirmed.
“All the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations,” SP Ikenga said.
In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc, minps, PhD, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, warning criminal elements to steer clear of the state.
“Let it be known that Anambra State remains unsafe for any form of criminal enterprise. The Command will continue to pursue and dismantle criminal networks wherever they operate,” CP Orutugu stated.
